Hundreds of homesteads have been lost to the Jamuna River over the past month as severe riverbank erosion intensified in Sirajganj's Kazipur upazila due to rising water levels caused by upstream flows and heavy rainfall.

Al Amin Sarkar, a member of Ward No. 1 of Chargirish Union Parishad, said more than 300 houses had been devoured by the river so far, while at least 16 villages had been affected, with homes, cropland, roads, and other infrastructure continuing to disappear into the river.

The erosion has spread from Chargirish Bazar to the Bhetua area, putting West Chargirish Government Primary School, several mosques, a madrasa, and the local market at risk.

"We lost our house to the river. Now we have nowhere to go," said Romisa Begum, one of the residents affected by the erosion.

Farmer Bahar Uddin alleged that illegal sand extraction from the Jamuna had worsened the erosion and urged the government to take immediate protective measures.

West Chargirish Government Primary School Headmaster Tarikul Islam said around 150 students study at the school, which now stands dangerously close to the eroding riverbank.

Former Mansurnagar Union Parishad chairman Kamrul Hasan said no major river protection work had been undertaken on the Jamuna's eastern bank, "despite significant investments" on the western bank.

He also urged the government to take immediate steps to protect the six unions along the river.

Sirajganj Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mokhlesur Rahman said essentially the eastern bank of Kazipur Upazila is considered a char (riverine island) area, while the western bank is regarded as the mainland. "That is why a protection embankment has been constructed on the western side. A project for the eastern side is also expected to receive approval, after which the necessary work will be carried out."

He further added that geo-bags were being placed at vulnerable points to curb the erosion, but a large-scale project would be needed to provide a permanent solution for the char areas.

Kazipur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mostafizur Rahman said the administration had allocated 85 tonnes of rice to affected people across the upazila's 12 unions, adding that distribution would begin soon.